18-32 Darlinghurst Road Potts Point - Heritage Interpretation Strategy - August 2020 Prepared for Picadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd - NSW ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
18-32 Darlinghurst Road Potts Point Heritage Interpretation Strategy August 2020 Prepared for Picadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd
Figure 1: FRONT COVER Image by Jessica Cho Source: UNSW Urban Design Studio, 2018 ADDRESS 117 RESERVOIR STREET SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 CLIENT PICCADILLY HOTEL OPERATIONS TRUST PTY LTD PHONE +61 2 9215 4900 ADDRESS Suite 4, Level 31 264-278 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 EMAIL julie@tzg.com.au PHONE 02 9251 6498 ABN 4600 2722 349 EMAIL Warwick.Bowyer@iriscapital.com.au www.tzg.com.au https://iriscapital.com.au/ Nominated Architects Peter Tonkin: NSW Reg No 4147; Brian Zulaikha: NSW Reg No. 2791; Tim Greer: NSW Reg No 5603 This document remains the property of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects Pty Ltd and may only be used for the purposes for which it was produced. Unauthorised use of the document in any form whatsoever is prohibited. ISSUE DATE ISSUE 08.07.2020 Draft Issue for Client Review 31.07.2020 Final Draft Issue for Client Review 31.08.2020 Issue for Development Application
Contents
1. Introduction 5 2. History 9 4. Interpretation Framework 21 5. Interpretation Strategy 37 7. Appendices 45
1.1 Report Purpose6 2.1 Introduction11 4.1 Introduction22 5.1 Interpretation Objectives38 7.1 Existing Interpretation in Fitzroy Gardens46
1.2 Aims6 2.2 Aboriginal Occupation11 4.2 Why Interpret?22 5.2 Choice of Interpretive Media38 7.2 ‘The Strip on the Strip’ Brochure49
1.3 Methodology6 2.3 Post Colonial Aboriginal Occupation11 4.3 Project Brief22 5.3 Interpretation Options38 7.3 Historic Drawings55
1.4 Heritage Terminology6 2.4 History of the Site13 4.5 Target Audience23 5.4 Interpretation Strategy40
2.4.1 The Bourbon Hotel, 22-24 Darlinghurst
1.5 Report Basis7 4.6 Opportunities23 6. Implementation 43
Road,
Heritage Item LEP No. I229013 6.1 Funding44
1.6 Authorship7 4.7 Constraints23
2.4.2 The Empire Hotel, 30-32A Darlinghurst
1.7 Limitations7 Road, 4.4 Interpretation Framework Basis23 6.2 Skills44
Heritage Item LEP No. I229114
1.8 Acknowledgments7 4.8 Historic Themes23 6.3 Timeframe44
2.4.3 Lowestoft, 20 Darlinghurst Road14
1.9 Abbreviations7 2.4.4 The Radnor15 4.9 Existing Heritage Interpretation32 6.4 Management44
2.4.5 The Commodore, 30 Darlinghurst Road15
1.10 Location8 4.10 Interpretive Media Options34 6.5 References44
3. Heritage Significance 17
1.11 Study Area8 4.11 Precedents35
3.1 Heritage Listings18
3.2 The Bourbon Hotel - 22-24 Darlinghurst Road18
3.3 The site of the Empire Hotel, 30-32A Darlinghurst
Road18
3.4 Potts Point Conservation Area19
3.5 Heritage Items in the Immediate Vicinity19
3.4.1 State Heritage Register19
3.4.2 Sydney Local Environment Plan19
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
iii
iv Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
Figure 2: View looking north along Darlinghurst Road.
Source: TZG Architects, 2020.
1.0
Introduction
Introduction
1.1 Report Purpose 1.2 Aims 1.3 Methodology 1.4 Heritage Terminology
This Interpretation Strategy has been prepared This Interpretation Strategy aims to reveal the An Interpretation Plan or Strategy is defined by the Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural The following terms apply to the historic fabric of the
to accompany the Development Application for history and heritage values of the site through a NSW Heritage Office as: Significance, 2013 (The Burra Charter) site and the Burra Charter definitions are included
alterations and additions to 18-32 Darlinghurst Road. range of interpretative devices tailored to suit the The Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation here to assist in understanding of the intent of the
A document that provides the policies, strategies conservation requirements in this report.
The site was the subject of a Design Excellence target audiences in an interesting and relevant way. of Places of Cultural Significance, (known as The
and detailed advice for interpreting a heritage item.
Competition in 2019. Interpretation will bring out the unique qualities and Burra Charter), is widely accepted in Australia as the
It is based on research and analysis and plans to Place means site, area, land, landscape, building or
stories of the place, giving it a contemporary identity, underlying methodology by which all works to any
communicate the significance of the item, both other work, group of buildings or other works, and
while retaining a memory of its past. sites/buildings, which have been identified as having
during a conservation project and in the ongoing life may include components, contents, spaces and
national, state, regional or local significance are views.
The Interpretation that accompanies the development of the item. The plan identifies key themes, storylines
undertaken.
of 18-32 Darlinghurst Road will: and audiences and provides recommendations
Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic,
about interpretation media. It includes practical and In order to achieve consistency in approach and
– provide an interpretive experience that is scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or
specific advice about how to implement the plan. understanding of the meaning of conservation by
captivating and relevant and that influences or future generations.
all those involved, a standardised terminology for
broadens the thoughts and behaviours of key The NSW Heritage Council’s publication Interpreting
conservation processes and related actions has been Fabric means all the physical material of the place
audiences; Heritage Places and Heritage Interpretation Policy
adopted. The terminology in The Burra Charter is a including components, fixtures, contents, and objects.
– reveal the important stories and historical (2005) have both guided the preparation of this
suitable basis for this.
associations of the site so that they are legible to Strategy. It takes into consideration the contextual Conservation means all the processes of looking after
key target audiences; history and development of the overall site and the a place so as to retain its cultural significance.
cultural significance of the existing buildings and
– contribute to the richness and distinctive identity Maintenance means the continuous protective care
identified historical themes. Relevant historic themes
of the place; and of the fabric and setting of a place, and is to be
are identified in order to establish a framework for
– deliver best practice interpretation. distinguished from repair.
interpreting the history and significance of the site and
to aid in integrating interpretation within the overall Repair involves restoration or reconstruction.
design.
Preservation means maintaining the fabric of a place
in its existing state and retarding deterioration.
Restoration means returning the existing fabric of a
place to a known earlier state by removing accretions
or by reassembling existing components without the
introduction of new material.
Reconstruction means returning the place to a known
earlier state and is distinguished from restoration by
the introduction of new material.
Adaptation means modifying a place to suit the
existing use or a proposed use.
Use means the functions of a place, as well as the
activities and practices that may occur at the place.
Compatible use means a use, which respects the
cultural significance of a place. Such a use involves
no, or minimal, impact on cultural significance.
Setting means the area around a place, which may
include the visual catchment.
Related place means a place that contributes to the
cultural significance of another place.
Interpretation means all the ways of presenting the
cultural significance of a place.
6 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
Introduction
1.5 Report Basis 1.6 Authorship 1.7 Limitations 1.8 Acknowledgments 1.9 Abbreviations
This report builds on the reports and studies, prepared This Heritage Interpretation Strategy has been Assessments of cultural significance made by others TZG wish to acknowledge the valuable inputs into this COS City of Sydney Council
by others, related to the site and its surrounds and is prepared by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Heritage (TZG) on have been adopted for this report. In the opinion of the strategy from City of Sydney Council Archives.
CMP Conservation Management Plan
intended to be read in conjunction with the Heritage behalf of Picadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd. authors, the recommendations in this report would not
Assessment prepared by PTW Architects for City of be materially altered by any further primary research. HIP Heritage Interpretation Plan
Sydney in August 2018 which provides extensive
contextual information. Accordingly, this Interpretation ICOMOS International Committee on Monuments and
Strategy expands on identified historic themes to Sites
establish a framework for interpreting the history and NLA National Library of Australia
significance of the place.
ML Mitchell Library
A full list of references is included at the rear of this
report. S60 Section 60 approval under the NSW
Heritage Act 1977
SHR State Heritage Register
SLNSW State Library of NSW
PTW PTW Architects
TZG Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
23 August 2018 (FINAL, Rev C)
Heritage Assessment
1A Elizabeth Bay Road, 18‐32 Darlinghurst Rd and
2 Roslyn St, Potts Point
For City of Sydney
1
129
Figure 3: Cover of Heritage Assessment prepared by PTW
Architects for the site.
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
7
Introduction
1.10 Location 1.11 Study Area
The site is located on the eastern side of Darlinghurst The site is irregular in shape and is surrounded by The site has five existing buildings known as
Road in the suburb of Potts Point, approximately Darlinghurst Road to the site’s west, Roslyn Street to The Lowestoft, The Bourbon, The Radnor, The
1.5km from the Sydney CBD. the south and Barncleuth Lane to the east. Commodore and The Empire Hotel. The existing
buildings do not have any vehicular entry points,
The site has a total area of approximately 2,518 m2,
nor any car parking. There is an existing substation
with frontages as follows:
fronting Barncleuth Lane.
– 63.17m to Darlinghurst Road (western frontage)
LEGEND BUILDING NAME ADDRESS LOT
– 37.64m to Roslyn Street (southern frontage)
– 44.8m to Barncleuth Lane (eastern frontage) The Lowestoft 18-20 Darlinghurst Road Lot 2 DP182505
The site has an approximate fall of 2.5m towards
The Bourbon & The Radnor 22-28 Darlinghurst Road Lot 1 DP1097710
the south of the site, with the high point being
Darlinghurst Road and the low point at the corner of
Roslyn Street and Barncleuth Lane. The Commodore 30a Darlinghurst Road Lot 1 DP214079
The Empire Hotel 32 & 32a Darlinghurst Road Lot 1 DP510235
Figure 4: Site Location.
Source: Google Maps 2020.
2 STOREY
RENDERED
BUILDING
METAL ROOF
No.1-21
BA
RN
4 STOREY
RENDERED
BUILDING CL
METAL ROOF EU
RE N
ND 10 S o.1
TH
T A
SQ
E
ME RE OR
TA D B EY
D L R UIL UA
OA
RE No
R
ND 3 S .18
E T -2
ME RE OR 0
OO DIN
F G RE
No.23-31 TA D B EY
L R UIL (2
81
3 STOREY OO DIN m
²)
RENDERED BUILDING F G
METAL ROOF DP 2
18
25
05
T
RS
℄
HU 1
LING DP 1097710
D AR No.22-28
3 STOREY
RENDERED
NE
BUILDING
METAL ROOF LA No.1
4 STOREY
BRICK BUILDING
1 METAL ROOF
DP 214079
No.30a No.3
8 STOREY 4 STOREY
RENDERED BUILDING BRICK BUILDING
TILE ROOF METAL ROOF
1
DP 510235
RO
No.32
SL
3 STOREY
YN
RENDERED BUILDING
²)
5m
METAL ROOF
(4
No.5-7
No.34-36a 6 STOREY
5 STOREY BRICK BUILDING
TH
²)
RENDERED BUILDING METAL ROOF
m
06
TILED ROOF
(4
EU
No2
CL
4 STOREY ²
²
BRICK
RN
No.1 ²
BUILDING
5 STOREY ²
METAL ROOF
BA
RENDERED BUILDING No.9 ²
METAL ROOF
ST
No.3 RE
2 STOREY ET
RENDERED BUILDING
TILED ROOF No.11
4 STOREY
BRICK BUILDING
METAL ROOF
No.5-9
4 STOREY
TILED BUILDING
METAL ROOF
J 20/04/20 BASEMENT SURVEY & CHIMNEY ADDED 42173 006 F 24/07/19 DESIGN CONSTRAINTS LINE ADJUSTED 42173 006 THIS IS THE PLAN REFERRED TO Suite 1, Level 1 Client IRIS CAPITAL datum project number reference number
I 11/03/20 RIDGE RL ADDED 42173 006 E 23/07/19 DESIGN CONSTRAINTS PLAN ADDED SHEET 5 42173 006
IN MY LETTER DATED: 810 Pacific Highway
Drawing title
AHD - 42173DT
Gordon NSW 2072
site Area scale date of survey
H 29/10/19 BOUNDARY COLOUR CHANGED 42173 006 D 18/07/19 INTERNAL DETAIL ADDED 42173 006 Locked Bag 5 PLAN OF DETAIL, LEVELS & ELEVATIONS OVER LOT 1 IN 2517m² 1:200 @A1 06/05/15
G 07/08/19 DESIGN CONSTRAINTS LINE ADJUSTED 42173 006 C 26/10/17 UPDATED TO INCLUDE LOT 2 IN DP 182505 IN SUBJECT SURVEY 42173 004 LOCKLEY Gordon NSW 2072
DP1097710, LOT 1 IN DP 214079, LOT 1 IN DP 510235 & LOT 2
P 1300 587 000 LGA SHEET
Revision Date Description Reference Revision Date Description Reference Registered Surveyor NSW Registered Surveyors NSW
www.ltsl.com.au F 02 9499 7760 IN DP 182505 AT 18-32 DARLINGHURST ROAD, POTTS POINT SYDNEY OF 5 SHEETS
1
Figure 5: Site Survey showing subject site outlined in blue. Figure 6: Cadastral plan showing site location and different lots.
Source: LTS Lockley Land Sur veyors, 2019. Source: Land Registr y Ser vices, 2020.
8 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
Figure 7: 1894. Metropolitan Detail Series, City of Sydney Section R.
Source: State Librar y of NSW, Mitchell Librar y, File no: FL4379161, available
online.
2.0
History
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
9
Figure 9: Woolloomooloo with the bury-ing place of the Palmers, in Figure 10: Potts Point, Woolloomooloo [sic] Bay, c1850/J.R.Roberts, in
Views of Sydney and Surrounding District by Edward Mason. Sketches of NSW, Tasmania and Victoria by Lempriere and others, ca.
Source: State Librar y of NSW: www.digital.sl.nsw.gov.au, PXC 459, FL1130986. 1830-1869.
Source: State Librar y of NSW: www.digital.sl.nsw.gov.au, DL PX X 39, FL12076744.
Figure 8: Elizabeth Bay Sydney with the bark huts for the Natives, in
Views of Sydney and Surrounding District by Edward Mason.
Source: State Librar y of NSW: www.digital.sl.nsw.gov.au, PXC 459, FL1131004.
10 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts PointHistory
2.1 Introduction 2.2 Aboriginal 2.3 Post Colonial
Occupation Aboriginal Occupation
A high level historical overview is included in this Pre 1788 Post Contact - Derawun and Carraginn
report to highlight some of the key phases of The subject site is located on land whose traditional The Aboriginal people of Sydney were the first to face Soon after the arrival of the First Fleet, British officers
development of the site and its surrounding context. owners are the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The the devastating human impact of introduced diseases were tasked with learning the language of the local
The history of site is described in more detail in the Eora lands stretched from the Hawkesbury River in the where many hundreds perished within months of the indigenous people so that communication between
Heritage Assessment prepared by PTW Architects in north to George’s River in the south and west towards First Fleet arriving in Sydney Cove, before quickly the two peoples could be established. During this
2019 and the Statement of Heritage Impact prepared the Nepean River.1 The Gadigal people were one of spreading across the continent. The swift destruction time, the officers recorded the names of objects and
by TZG Heritage in 2020. 29 clans, or bands, living in the coastal Sydney area of their aquacultural systems, agricultural farms and places around Potts Point. Potts Point was known
and were the first to encounter the colonial settlers villages led to the collapse of social and economic locally as Derawun; Woolloomooloo Bay was Walla-
who arrived aboard the First Fleet in 1788.2 Prior to structures that once stretched across the different mool or Wallamoula; Garden Island was Ba-ing-hoe
this life-altering event, the Aboriginal people of Sydney bands and tribes in Sydney and further along the and Elizabeth Bay was Carraginn.8 Rushcutters Bay
flourished through social and economic structures that coast and inland towards the Blue Mountains. Today, was also visited regularly by convicts instructed to
sustained networks across tribal lands. The Sydney the presence of descendants of the Gadigal people collect rushes used for thatching huts, basket-making
region had been occupied by Aboriginal people for speaks to the spiritual and physical connection to and covering earthen floors before floor boards and
more than one thousand generations.3 The coastal the land that indigenous Aboriginal people have carpets were used. Figure 11: Potts Point, Woolloomooloo [sic] Bay, c1850/
environment, inland rivers and fresh water streams had with Country for millennia. This is supported by J.R.Roberts, in Sketches of NSW, Tasmania and Victoria
Under the Governorship of Lachlan Macquarie, by Lempriere and others, ca. 1830-1869.
around Sydney provided an abundant food supply ongoing archaeological research using carbon dating
Aboriginal people continued to live around the coastal Source: State Librar y of NSW: www.digital.sl.nsw.gov.au, DL PX X
and was managed by aquaculture systems that were technology that suggests Aboriginal people may have
shores of Port Jackson and were encouraged to 39, FL12076744.
commonly used across the continent. 4 lived on the continent as far back as 80,000 years ago
continue a central facet of their lives - fishing. One
– 10,000 years before the Out of Africa theory, making
Aboriginal land management systems were well of Macquarie’s initiatives in the 1820s was a fishing
Aboriginal Australians the first to leave the African
documented in the travel journals and diaries kept by village set up for several dozen Aboriginal people
continent.7
the first Europeans who recorded what they witnessed with a settlement at Carraginn (also Gurrajin), located
including farming techniques for seeds and grasses, approximately around present day Beare Park. Land
some that stretched for miles; large houses built to was cleared for a garden and fishing canoes were
store grain and the harvest that would support a provided while a number of bark huts were built to
community of thousands; mounds that were built as accommodate them.9 Fishing tackle, salt and casks
terraces for farming yams. Even cereal production to slat fish in were also provided. Two convicts were
was undertaken to cultivate rice after years of plant instructed to watch over the Aboriginal settlement
domestication allowed for a system that farmed native which came to be known as ‘Elizabeth Town’ after
rices.5 The presence of Aboriginal people in Australia Macquarie named the area Elizabeth Bay after his wife
over a vast amount of time meant that they not only in 1816. Around 200 hundred Aboriginal people lived
had to evolve and adapt to the changing environment around Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point and Woolloomooloo
that included cooler temperatures 20,000 years ago at this time.10 A land grant awarded to Colonial
and rising sea levels 18,000 years ago, but also Secretary Alexander Macleay in 1826 by Governor
evolved by adopting new technologies to cultivate the Sir Ralph Darling, resumed the land on which the
land, waterways and oceans.6 Aboriginal village had been built, though abandoned
at the time, upon which Macleay’s grand residence
known as Elizabeth Bay House was constructed. No
Aboriginal settlements were seen around Elizabeth
Bay after the 1830s although they continued to
frequent the area.11
1: Norman B Tindale, Eora, Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, 4: Bruce Pascoe, Dark Emu (Mabala Books Aboriginal Corporation: 9: Hidden in Plain View, p.21.
Environmental Controls, Distributions, Limits and Proper Names Broome, Western Australia, 2018), p.68. 10: Barani, Sydney’s Aboriginal History.
(Australian National University, 1974), p.193. 5: Dark Emu, Chapter 1. 11: Hidden in Plain View, p.21 and Pictorial History of Kings Cross, p.3.
2: Barani, Sydney’s Aboriginal History, http://www.sydneybarani.com.au. 6: Hidden in Plain View, Chapter 1.
3: Paul Irish, Hidden in Plain View, The Aboriginal People of Coastal 7: Warrnambool midden in Dark Emu, pp.40 & 60.
Sydney (Newsouth Publishing: University of New South Wales Press Ltd, 8: Anne-Maree Whitaker, Pictorial History of Kings Cross (Kingsclear
2017), p.13. Books, Alexandria, NSW, 2012), p.2.
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
11History
Figure 12: 1889. Plan of DP 2355 showing Roslyn Hall, Darlinghurst. Figure 14: c1912. Macleay St looking to building that now houses the
Source: NSW Land Registr y Ser vices. Bourbon and Beefsteak. Kingsclere looms large to the left.
Source: Pinterest.
Figure 13: 1937 Plan Kings Cross area. Figure 15: 1969, Housing - Hotels, motels and hostels - Gazebo Hotel at Elizabeth Bay on the edge of Kings Cross, Sydney - El Alamein
Source: State Librar y of NSW, Mitchell Librar y, 012 - Z /SP/K3/12, available online. fountain in foreground.
Source: National Archives of Australia, [photographic image]. Series number A1200, L81109.
12 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts PointHistory
2.4 History of the Site
2.4.1 The Bourbon Hotel, 22-24 Darlinghurst Road,
YEAR NO.22 DARLINGHURST ROAD NO.24 DARLINGHURST ROAD YEAR NO.22 DARLINGHURST ROAD NO.24 DARLINGHURST ROAD
Heritage Item LEP No. I2290
A pair of houses were built for William J Bakewell as 1889 Subdivision of Roslyn Hall Estate into 11 lots facing Darlinghurst Road 1936 Property sold and begins to
a speculative pair of up-market mansions designed undertaken by the Sydney Permanent Freehold Land and Building operates as The Gleneagles
to attract a particular standard of tenant. At the time, Society. Private Hotel
Bakewell and his two brothers operated Bakewell 1904 No’s. 22 and 24 built as a pair of speculative up-market 3-storey 1956 Alterations to the façade
Brothers, an extensive brick, tile and pottery works in terrace mansions with Italianate detailing for owner William J Bakewell. designed by emerging
St Peters and already owned other properties across architect Frank Kolos are
the city. No 22 was known as St Louis (later The 1905 Charlemount Private Hospital opens
undertaken. Hotel changes
Russell) and No 24 was known as The Charlemount and operated under senior state
name to The Greyeagles
Private Hospital (later The Charlemont, The nurse, Susan Bell McGahey.
Hotel.
Gleneagles Hotel and then The Greyeagles Hotel).
1910 Operating rooms added to the
1967 Began operating as the
The Charlemount Private Hospital starting operating interior.
Bourbon and Beefsteak Bar.
in 1905 under Susan Bell McGahey, one of the most
Known as St Louis (later The Known as The Charlemount (later The
senior and influential nurses in the state who served 1968 Application made to Council
Russell). Charlemont, The Gleneagles Hotel,
as matron at the Carrington Centennial Hospital for the premises to be used
Greyeagles Hotel).
at Camden and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Operated as a boarding as a nightclub.
Camperdown. McGahey guided the growth of the house as advertised as a Modified and operated as a private
2003 Renovations undertaken and renamed The Bourbon.
private hospital from its opening that saw numerous ‘Gentleman’s Home’ for the hospital in 1904-1919.
VIP patients and whose nurses attained a high regard conservative professional 2004 Basement upgrade for storage use, construction of cool room
amongst the community. In 1916 she handed the wanting to live in a mansion in and garbage room.
management of the hospital to another nursing sister. April 1904.
Existing indoor space facing Darlinghurst Road converted
McGahey suffered from cancer and passed away in
1912 Contents of the house were into a covered external space for the use of outdoor gaming
1919.
sold to prepare for conversion facilities.
During the 1920s, the Charlemount operating as a into residential flats.
2005 Consolidation of new and existing services and roof plant.
residential chambers and then reopened as a private
1913 Building known as The Russell.
hospital in 1929 until 1934 when it returned as a 2006 Internal alterations and additions Figure 16: 1965. Bourbon Beefsteak Bar.
boarding house. By 1936, the property changed its 1920 Alterations made to commence Source: Pinterest.
name and became known as the Gleneagles Private 2008 Alterations and additions to existing Bourbon Hotel
operating as a residential chambers
Hotel. to meet the growing demand of this 2011 Alterations for building upgrade works
housing type in the area at that time.
In 1956, the 3-level west wing bay was demolished 2012 New illuminated signage
and a new modern facade, that extended the building 1922 Bakewell family places properties on the auction market and liquidates
towards Darlinghurst Road, was added. The place family estate.
was renamed The Greyeagles Hotel in 1958 and then
The Bourbon and Beefsteak Bar in 1967. The Russell is sold privately The Charlemount is passed in at Table 1: Historical Timeline of 22-24 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point.
before the public auction. £8000. Sources: Architectural Plans, Building Inspectors Cards & DA Search via City of
Sydney.
From the early 2000s there have been numerous
alterations and modifications to the interior to improve 1925 Advertisements for furnished
the entertainment offerings. Today, the Bourbon flats available for lease at The
remains a popular bar and restaurant in the local area Russell.
and caters for events such as birthdays and wedding 1929 Alterations made again to convert the
parties, conferences and meetings. residence back as a private hospital.
1931 No. 22 & 24 now owned by the Boulton family.
1934 Converted as a boarding house
following the relocation of the private
hospital to a site on Macleay Street.
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
13History
2.4.2 The Empire Hotel, 30-32A Darlinghurst Road, 2.4.3 Lowestoft, 20 Darlinghurst Road
YEAR DESCRIPTION
Heritage Item LEP No. I2291 Lowestoft was built by Robert and Alice Nobile
The present day Empire Hotel was built in 1961 for 1891 Fordon at No. 32 Darlinghurst Road Guy as an investment property and was the second
owner G. Lehrer who owned other properties on was built for Rose and Henry Nelson. house built on the subdivided lots from the grounds
Darlinghurst Road including shops and flats at 61-65 The house is of brick construction with of Rosyln Hall during the 1890s. The family lived on
Darlinghurst Road. The three storey building was a slate roof comprising 12 rooms. Victoria Street and owned other houses on Orwell
designed by Neville Gruzman and comprise shops 1916 April – the sale of house contents Street in Potts Point. Robert Guy was well known
fronting onto Darlinghurst Road, a restaurant on the included ‘superior surplus furniture and amongst those in the charitable and philanthropic
first floor level and offices on the second floor. When effects’. movements and was the honorary secretary of the
it opened in 1962, the restaurant became a club/ City Night Refuge and Soup Kitchen. The family never
cabaret known as Les Girls that featured female 1930s Tooth and Company owned most of lived in the house but is thought was always intended
impressionists performing covers of popular songs. the Fordon lot. for their daughter Alice.
At the time, Kings Cross was known as the ‘Glittering City Council owned part of the Fordon Lowestoft was refurbished in 1907 when it was
Mile’ for its popular night life and late-night clubs and lot. subdivided into two flats – a balcony flat containing
venues. Les Girls would become one of the most
c.1960 Fordon at No. 32 Darlinghurst Road two rooms and another flat of three rooms. By 1925
popular venues in the area and reinforced Sydney’s Figure 17: Les Girls, Kings Cross.
was demolished. the house was advertised as residential chambers to
international reputation as a city opened to the gay Source: Google images/Domain.
accommodate county visitors with occupiers changing
and lesbian community. The club was featured in an
1961 G. Lehrer owner. frequently. In 1929, extensions were made for Alice
ABC documentary in 1964 called ‘The Glittering Mile’.
Haslam that included a shop front addition and an
By the 1970s Les Girls had become the Carousel Three storey building with curved
extension of the back wing with overhead yard and
Lounge and then The Palladium night club. corner designed by Neville Gruzman
laundry, sleep out balconies with two extra bathrooms.
erected comprising shops at ground
Many alterations have been made to The Empire over The shop front was the first to be constructed on
level, a restaurant on the first floor level
the years including adding new retail shops on the this row of Darlinghurst Road. By 1931 the building Figure 18: Lowestoft front elevation.
and offices on the second floor.
ground floor level, upgrades to the gaming rooms contained 14 (or 15 flats) and a shop. Source: City of Sydney Archives.
and hotel facilities and extending the night club 1962 Les Girls club/cabaret opened in the
Today, the Lowestoft is occupied on the ground level
area. Today, The Empire is a popular sports bar and restaurant space on the ground floor
by Blake’s Pharmacy while the upper two floors are
restaurant in the local area and is open 7 days a week. level. Les Girls operated from 1962-
commercial tenancies for Fountain Medical Practice
1980s.
and Woke Yoga Studio.
1991 New bar area to 1st Floor.
Ice cream shop refurbished.
1996 Alterations and additions to premises
(remove entrance sliding door).
Fitout as take away food shop.
New entrance and signs to existing
shop premises.
Changing use into a tobacco and gift
shop.
Use premises for take away shop on
ground level.
1997 Erect integrated display sign.
New entrance to shop front and
advertising signals.
2000 Fitout to existing shop in unit 2E.
2001 Extension of existing hotel/nightclub in
place of 3 existing shops.
2002 Increase the gaming area of the hotel
and nightclub.
2003 Alterations and use of existing retail
premises as a nightclub.
- present Site included the Carousel Lounge
and The Palladium nightclubs before
becoming The Empire Hotel.
14 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point2.4.4 The Radnor 2.4.5 The Commodore, 30 Darlinghurst Road
Construction on the asymmetrical semi-detached The American-style flats that make up the
houses at 26-28 Darlinghurst Road started in 1903. Commodore were completed in 1928. Initially, the
When completed in 1904 it was initially tenanted by development plans spread across 4 lots that included
surgeon William McKay at ‘Lister’ (No. 26) and Judge, the resumption of Fordon Hall, but only one section
Honourable William Walker McGregor at No. 28, was built. Had the Commodore been completed as
named ‘Lynn’. This pair of houses formed part of the planned, it probably would have been the largest
estate of Adoph[us] Rogalsky, a land agent, property block of flats in Sydney at the time.
owner and merchant who lived in Levka, a town on
The Commodore was designed by Claude Hamilton
the eastern coast of the Fijian island of Ovalau until
Figure 19: June 1968, Sydney Kings Cross, The El who also designed a series of apartment buildings
he settled in Sydney in the 1870s. The Rogalskys also
Alamein fountain in Kings Cross, Sydney is a favourite in the Darlinghurst/Potts Point area. The newly built
owned land in Addison Road, Manly and elsewhere in lunch hour spot for office workers, Photograph by block of flats were advertised as deluxe flats furnished
inner Sydney. Australian News and Information Bureau in American style. The American-style flats referred to
Source: National Archives of Australia, Negative Number L62711
In October 1925, No. 26 operated under the name [Contains 1 print] [Album 31], Series number B941. either the layout of the flat which usually was a single
‘Uralla’ and continued as a residential chamber room with a fold-out bed, or to the arrangement of
offering bed-sitting rooms with trays (meals) provided. the building as a multiple storey building, referencing
An attempt to sale the pair of houses during the the apartment types popular in the USA, particularly
economic downturn that followed the Wall Street Chicago. The Commodore catered to visitors to
crash in December that year, failed. Ownership Sydney and by 1943 was being used as a venue by Figure 20: June 1968, Sydney Kings Cross, The El
Alamein fountain in Kings Cross, Sydney is a favourite
changed hands after 1930 and in 1936 the pair visiting Americans and continued as such after WWII
lunch hour spot for office workers, Photograph by
of houses was sold to the Ginsberg sisters as an when farewell dinners for officers stationed at Sydney Australian News and Information Bureau
investment, adding to their property portfolio that were held there. By then, the building had become Source: National Archives of Australia, Negative Number L62711
included land and a pavilion in Earl Street, 39-43 notorious with the Vice Squad due to the unsavoury [Contains 1 print] [Album 31], Series number B941.
Darlinghurst Road and flats at 45-47 Darlinghurst goings-on that included drunken immoral parties and
Road. The addition of shop fronts at 24-26 assaults. This resulted in complaints from US Naval
Darlinghurst Road was undertaken for the Ginsberg services who were concerned for the well-being of
sisters in 1939 and by 1945 there were 3 shops and their sailors which led to the Commodore being out-
18 flats in the building. In 1948 the pair of houses of-bounds for servicemen from the US Birmingham.
became one residential property known as The
Today, the ground floor is occupied by two retail
Radnoor (or Radnor) and still owned by the Ginsberg
tenancies situated on either side of the residential
sisters. Council records from 1953 show sketches of
lobby entrance: Guardian Pharmacy and Five Star
options to use the residential rooms on the ground
Tobacconist. The upper floors comprise studio
floor as shops, including a frock shop at the rear and
apartments and one bedroom residential apartments.
a showcase in the corridor. Records also indicate that
the place was used as a listening facility for a Radio
Centre.
The original semi-detached houses have long since
been removed and today the site is occupied on the
ground floor by the Bourbon Bar and an adjoining
bottle store. The upper level, once the home of The
Swan’s Sport Club until 2011, is used as the outdoor
terrace and bar area for The Bourbon.
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
15YEAR EVENTS YEAR EVENTS
Phase 1 The Villas of Darlinghurst (to c.1850) Phase 4 The Flat Dweller (1925-1938)
1833 Construction begins on a substantial villa designed by Ambrose Hallen for Thomas Barker on Barker’s 9 acre land grant, 1925 Uralla and Lynn (No’s. 26-28 Darlinghurst Road) operate as residential chambers with furnished bed-sitting rooms.
Roslyn Hall, adjacent the subject site.
1925 New Zealand-born architect, Claude Hamilton, designed the block of American style flats at No. 30 Darlinghurst Road
1835 Roslyn Hall completed. Barker also constructs wind mills on the grounds. known as The Commodore. He also designed Regent Court at 18 Springfield Avenue in 1925 and Byron Hall at 97-99
Phase 2 Subdivision for Townhouses and Terrace Mansions (1850-1907) Macleay Street in 1929.
1889 Further intensification of development saw the grounds of Roslyn Hall (location of the subject site) subdivided to 1926 A building application for the Clivedon Flats at 2 Roslyn Street was made.
incorporate 11 sites facing Darlinghurst Road. 1928 The first stage of The Commodore was completed and ready for occupation.
1891 Fordon, 32 Darlinghurst Road - A single residence house was built within the subdivision along Darlinghurst Road for 1936 The Charlemount at No.24 Darlinghurst Road operated as the Gleneagles Private Hotel.
Rose and Henry Nelson. No. 32 Darlinghurst Road became known as Fordon and was described in the Rate Assessment
Books as a substantial two storey brick house with a slate roof comprising 12 rooms. 1937 Roslyn Hall demolished.
1896 Lowestoft, 20 Darlinghurst Road - A second single residential house was built on the subject site for Robert and Alice Phase 6 Notoriety (1947-1960)
Noble Guy. No. 20 Darlinghurst Road was known as Lowestoft. Grounds extending to the north east allowed views of
Phase 7 The Glittering Mile (1961-1974)
Elizabeth Bay from the residence until Kinsley Hall was erected in 1922.
The famous drag cabaret Les Girls opened on the corner of Darlinghurst Road and Roslyn Street.
1903 Lister and Lynn (later Uralla and Lynn), 26-28 Darlinghurst Road - Asymmetrical semi-detached houses were constructed
and occupied by surgeon William McKay (No. 26, originally known as Lister and then Uralla since 1912) and judge, the 1967 The Bourbon and Beefsteak Bar at No. 24 Darlinghurst Street is established by American Bernie Houghton.
Honourable William Walker McGregor (No. 28 known as Lynn).
Phase 8 Late Night Life (1975-date)
1904 St Louis (later The Russell) and The Charlemount, 22-24 Darlinghurst Road - Substantial pair of houses constructed for
William J Blakewell, a wealthy brick, tile and pottery works owner as investment properties. These were similar in scale 2003 Bourbon and Beefsteak renovated and renamed The Bourbon.
and Italianate detailing of other mansions in the Springfield Avenue and Macleay Street area. 2017 Plans for the redevelopment of the subject site lodged to City of Sydney Council in DA2017/1705.
St. Louis (later The Russell), 22 Darlinghurst Road - Advertised as a ‘Gentlemen’s Home’ - operated by Mrs Alice Scott 2018 Community resistance to redevelopment plans forces the City of Sydney to consider the 500+ submissions. A notice
as a boarding house. of motion passed by Council called for the creation of a Design Advisory Panel to advise on design principles for the
The Charlemount Private Hospital, 24 Darlinghurst Road (later to be known as Charlemont Private Hospital) - site and to address high level of community concern. An urban design strategy and heritage assessment was also
Established by Susan Bell McGahey in July 1904. The hospital operated from 1904-1919 and again from 1929-1934. commissioned.
Phase 3 Boarding Houses (1907-1924) 2019 The Bourbon Hotel at No. 22-24 Darlinghurst Road gazetted as an item of local heritage significance (LEP #I2290),
November 29th.
1907 Lowestoft, at No. 20 Darlinghurst Road, was subdivided into flats and later residential chambers.
The site of The Empire Hotel at 30-32A Darlinghurst Road gazetted as an item of local heritage significance (LEP #I2291),
1929 Lowestoft, extended and first shop constructed in the row. BA0023/2. November 29th.
1920- The Charlemount at No.24 Darlinghurst Road operated as residential chambers until 1929 when it returned to being a Design competition held for subject site.
1929 private hospital. After the relocation of the hospital further down Macleay Street in 1934, the Charlemount once again
became a boarding house. 2020 Subject Development Application lodged.
1924 The row of buildings from 20-32 Darlinghurst Road are listed in the rate assessment books as being houses.
16 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point3.0
Heritage
Figure 21: Kings Cross
Significance
Source: National Archives of Australia (Fitzpatrick), 19703.1 Heritage Listings 3.2 The Bourbon Hotel - 3.3 The site of the
22-24 Darlinghurst Road Empire Hotel, 30-32A
Darlinghurst Road
The site is located within the Potts Point Heritage Part of The Bourbon Hotel is listed in Schedule 5 of The site of the Empire Hotel (not including the built
Conservation Area (C51) and currently all buildings on Sydney LEP as Heritage Item I2290 The Statement of fabric) is listed in Schedule 5 of Sydney LEP as
the site are identified as Contributory on the Sydney DCP Significance is as follows: Heritage Item I2290 The Statement of Significance is
Building Contributions Map (022), except for The Empire as follows:
The Bourbon Hotel has a high degree of heritage
which is graded Neutral. The Bourbon Hotel and The
significance at a local level, linked to its historical The Empire Hotel has a high degree of heritage
Empire Hotel, which form part of the site, and Kinglsey
development, distinctive architectural form and significance at a local level, primarily linked to its use
Hall, located adjacent to the site, are identified in Schedule
character and high levels of community esteem. as the Les Girls Nightclub.
5 of SLEP 2012 as Heritage Items of Local significance.
Heritage listings for the site are summarised in the table The historic development of the site is associated The building has historic significance as it dates
below: with the evolving history of the local area, with from a key period in the development of the Potts
changing building forms linked to changing uses; Point / Kings Cross area, with the changing of
a speculative terrace mansion house built for predominantly residential development to mixed-use
wealthy families in 1904 becomes a private hospital, commercial uses, especially to the major roads in
boarding house and finally a night club. From the the area. The architectural form and detail of the site
1960s, this site became an integral part of the is evident in the design of a mixed-use commercial
bohemian life of Darlinghurst Road, acquiring a building designed and built during the early 1960s.
notes:
risqué reputation in later years. The design of this building was associated with a
The current site massing significant phase of cosmopolitan life within Potts
With a remnant façade
akin toofthetwo grand mansion
is most historic Point where retail uses faced the street and night
terraces, The Bourbon Hotel
contextual urban formhas
no.1high aesthetic
club uses were located to the upper level.
significance. The
with later streetuses
predominant façade
retail/ addition at 24
commercial (check)
Darlinghurst Road is a good example of post -war A major component of the historic and associative
BUILDING NAME ADDRESS CONSERVATION Current Proposed modernism designed by the
The urban grain émigré
of the site is anarchitect Frank significance of the site is linked to its use as
AREA Heritage Heritage Kolos. extrusion of the street facade home for the performers Les Girls within Les Girls
Status Status PTW to establish long thin buildings.
Nightclub; this formed an important focus for the
Public concern about changes to this area indicate a
Kingsley Hall 18 Darlinghurst Road Potts Point C51 Contributory Recommended In most cases in the precinct entertainment of the Kings Cross area and helped
1 very high degree of social
the slab significance
block is defined as for the site.
pioneer acceptability of the LGBTQI community.
Heritage Item perpendicular with the street
With some surviving
frontage. original features that date to
In this instance Female impersonators Les Girls performed at Les
Lowestoft 20 Darlinghurst Road Potts Point C51 Contributory Contributory c.1904, this building
the angle demonstrates construction Girls, together with Carlotta, possibly Australia’s first
2 1 is XX degrees,
establshing a wonderfully
methods and detailing of the period, and as such sex-change patient.
idiosyncratic build form.
The Bourbon 22-24 Darlinghurst Road Potts Point C51 Contributory Recommended are representative examples of a pair of grand
3 7 The site is also associated with the Nelson /
(Charlemount) Heritage Item 2 terrace houses built in the late Italianate style. Basser family who were Jewish philanthropists and
The Radnor 26-28 Darlinghurst Road Potts Point C51 Contributory Neutral
3 important members of the Jewish community in
4 Contribution Sydney. The building also has links to the noted
4 5 Australian architect Neville Gruzman.
The Commodore 30 Darlinghurst Road Potts Point C51 Contributory Contributory
5 This site is likely to have a high level of contemporary
6 community esteem to the former patrons of Le Girls
6 The Empire Hotel 32A Darlinghurst Road Potts Point C51 Neutral Recommended as well as the LGBTQI community.
Contribution Heritage Item
Though modified, the Empire Hotel is a
7 Lido Suites 2 Roslyn Street Potts Point C51 Contributory Contributory representative example of a mixed use commercial
building in the modernist style.
Table 1: Heritage Status of existing buildings on the site. Figure 22: Axonometric of existing site showing locations of
buildings.
subject site current condition
18 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point3.4 Potts Point 3.5 Heritage Items in the
Conservation Area Immediate Vicinity
The site is located in the Potts Point Heritage The site is located in the vicinity of several other
Conservation Area, listed in Sydney Local heritage items.
Environmental Plan 2012 Schedule 5 Environmental
heritage as Item #C51. 3.4.1 State Heritage Register
The Statement of Significance contained in the – #01847 El Alamein Memorial Fountain
heritage inventory listing for the conservation area The curtilage for the fountain is shown in the map
states: to the right, and extends to the Darlinghurst Road
boundary of the subject site.
The Potts Point Conservation Area provides
evidence of the subdivision of the early land grants
and the consolidation of development in Potts 3.4.2 Sydney Local Environment Plan
Point during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, – #I2289 Flat Building ‘Kingsley Hall’, 18
reflecting the evolution of the locality from a district Darlinghurst Road
of substantial nineteenth century villas, to one – #1593 and 1593A El Alamein Fountain/Fitzroy
characterised by terraces of late nineteenth and Gardens 64-68 Macleay Street
early twentieth century interspersed with early to mid
twentieth century apartment housing and several
surviving grand houses. Together with adjoining
Elizabeth Bay and Rushcutters Bay, no where else
in Australia were apartments built to this height or
level of density. This creates streetscapes of strong
urban form and Victorian, Federation and Inter - war
character.
The area provides building types which represents
the last 150 years of development and coexist in a
harmonious way. Despite the intrusive nature of later
high rise towers, whose impact is disproportionate
to their proportion of built area, the area provides
a highly cohesive character although the towers
visually dominate the background of low scale
streetscapes.
The commercial strip along Darlinghurst Road,
together with Fitzroy Gardens and the El Alamein
Fountain, provide a continuing civic and visual focus
for the area.
The streets in the Conservation area are graded as
follows:
Darlinghurst Road: Predominantly 3-4 storey
commercial / residential development of mixed
character. Strong street alignment and continuous Figure 23: SLEP Heritage Map 022.
awning. Detracting shopfronts. Rating B Source: City of Sydney LEP 2012.
Roslyn Street: Inter-war flats, Contemporary infill. Subject site
Rating B City of Sydney Heritage Item
City of Sydney Heritage
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
19Heritage Significance
El Alamein Memorial Fountain Kingsley Hall
SHR# 01847 SHR# -
LEP# I593 & 1593A LEP# I2289
The Statement of Significance contained in the SHR The Statement of Significance contained in the LEP
listing is as follows: listing is as follows:
The El Alamein Memorial Fountain is of State Kingsley Hall at 1A Elizabeth Bay Road has a high Elements of high significance identified by LSJ
significance as a spectacular fountain and degree of heritage significance at a local level. (March 2019):
outstanding work of modernist design in water
The apartment block provides evidence in a major - External form and design of building envelope
which has been copied all over the world.
change in housing type within the inner-city suburbs including bay windows, corbels and buttresses.
Throughout the decades of the 1960s and 1970s it
of Sydney, Potts Point area from boarding houses
was an icon of Sydney, rivalling the Sydney Harbour - Brick external walls with details such as diaper
(within adapted terraces) to purpose-built high rise
Bridge and the Sydney Opera House for the panels, piers, dentil courses and moulded window
residential apartment blocks during the Interwar
frequency with which it was represented in tourism surrounds.
period. The construction of the building dates from a
imagery. Aesthetically it is rare in NSW as a local
key period in the development of Potts Point, when - Surviving steel windows (unit 94).
adaptation of the organic school of Scandinavian
taller purpose-built luxury apartment buildings were
architectural design and as an example of the - Internal floor plan layout of flats and circulation
being designed in consideration of amenity and
application of modernist design technology to areas.
function.
fountain design.
The building is associated with prominent Interwar - Original stair comprising concrete structure,
The El Alamein Memorial Fountain is of State terrazzo surfaces with decorative floral motif,
architect Emil Sodersteen who was one of the
significance as a war memorial to the Australian wrought iron balustrades and timber newel posts.
leading practitioners of the Art Deco style in Sydney
soldiers of the 9th Division who fought near the Figure 24: El Alamein Fountain, Fitzroy Gardens.
during the Interwar period. - Surviving original interior building fabric: timber
Egyptian town of El Alamein in two battles which Source: Photograph by John Poulton, https://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/
search-for-heritage/search-for-nsw-heritage/
helped turn the course of World War II towards The building is a prominent element in the floors, bullnose skirtings and architraves, panelled
victory for the Allies. It is also of State significance streetscape of Darlinghurst Road and is a fine cupboard doors, surviving French windows to
for its associations with its designer Bob Woodward, example of an Inter-War Art Deco residential flat bedrooms, surviving moulded timber skirtings and
a World War II veteran whose career was building with high quality brick detailing. architraves to common areas, the one surviving
consequently shifted into national and international original window lining architraves and sill found in
prominence as a fountain designer largely because With surviving original features that date from the First floor Garbage Room.
of its popular and critical success. It is rare as a war the 1930s, Kingsley demonstrates construction
memorial in NSW which commemorates a battle methods and detailing of the period. As such it is a
rather than the loss of individual members of the fine representative example of an Interwar Art Deco
armed forces. It is also unusual because its beauty apartment building found in the inner suburbs of
as a fountain has historically almost overwhelmed its Sydney. Figure 25: Kingsley Hall.
Source: Photograph by Glenn Harper, PTW, https://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/
solemn function a war memorial. search-for-heritage/search-for-nsw-heritage/
20 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point4.0
Figure 27: 1892 Figure
Plan of26: xxx. Bay estate, parish of Alexandria, city
Elizabeth Interpretation
Framework
of Sydney. Source: x x x
Source: State Librar y of NSW: www.digital.sl.nsw.gov.au, Z /M3 811.18112/1892/1,
FL16327488Interpretation Framework
4.1 Introduction 4.2 Why Interpret? 4.3 Project Brief
Heritage interpretation can be defined as a form Heritage interpretation provides the opportunity to The project was the subject of a Design Excellence
of communication that consciously involves the tell the stories associated with the site and to reveal Competition in 2019 which sought designs from a
participation of the audience. It is directed at specific the layers of past uses associated with its history. range of architectural firms for the redevelopment
target audiences and uses a range of techniques Interpretation can highlight both the tangible and the of the site. This followed widespread community
to reveal meanings and relationships rather than intangible by adding another layer of interest to the resistance to redevelopment plans proposed in
to simply relate factual information. An aim of place and ensuring it is a dynamic, exciting place in 2017 that resulted in over 500 public submissions.
heritage interpretation is to promote understanding the future. Subsequently, the City of Sydney Council
and learning, and it can also encourage interaction commissioned a Heritage Study and Urban Design
between an object and the target audience. Heritage Study for the site that established heritage and design
interpretation is intended to: priniciples. The council also established a Design
Advisory Panel sub-committee to set the parameters
– Provoke curiosity and interest
of the Urban Design Study as well as to audit the
– Relate to the target audience current planning controls. Community consultation
– Reveal a message was undertaken, in the form of a workshop, to address
the high level of community concern. The combination
– Address the whole story within unifying themes
of these studies led to the preparation of new site
and
specific development controls and design principles
– Increase the public’s knowledge and by the Design Advisory Panel that were ratified by the
understanding of the history and significance of City of Sydney Council.
the place.
The Design Excellence Competition was held under
This philosophy has been used to guide the
the parameters of the new controls and design
preparation of this Interpretation Strategy.
principles.
Design Excellence Competition
The aim of the Design Excellence Competition
was to harness the rich urban diversity and
density of Sydney’s first 24 hour economy, whilst
simultaneously providing vibrant and pleasant
residential and commercial accommodation the met
the contemporary controls and standards.
Coinciding with the Design Excellence Competition,
in November 2019 The Bourbon Hotel and The
Empire Hotel were gazetted as items of local
heritage significance and listed under Schedule 5
‘Environmental Heritage’ of the Sydney LEP.
The proposal made by TZG Architects and Panov
Scott in the Design Excellence Competition was
selected as the winning scheme by the Competition
Jury in December 2019 and has been continuously
developed and refined by a larger consultant team
including TZG Heritage since that time.
22 Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts PointInterpretation Framework
4.5 Target Audience 4.6 Opportunities 4.7 Constraints 4.4 Interpretation 4.8 Historic Themes
Framework Basis
Heritage Interpretation presents an opportunity to The project includes the following opportunities for Constraints for interpretation include: The following key documents have been referenced to Historic themes are used in interpretation as a tool to
convey the heritage values of the place to current interpretation: identify historic themes relevant to the site in order to organise information and to determine the core messages
– The project has a limited footprint.
and future generations with the view to encouraging establish a framework for interpreting the history and and stories to be communicated.
– The through site link forms an extension of the – The brief for the project requires intensive use of
a sense of understanding and community pride. It is significance of the place:
public domain and provides a place suitable to most internal spaces. In order to place the history and significance of a place
important that the interpretation is well integrated into
stop and view interpretive elements. within the broader Australian context, it is important to
the site, in order to attract and maintain audience. – Much of the site will be in private ownership. Unpublished Reports
– The project brief includes the need to include be able to use an established and widely-recognised
The proposed mixed use development includes cafes, PTW Architects, Heritage Assessment, 1A Elizabeth framework of historic themes to group key historical
public art.
bars, restaurants and residential units. The predicted Bay Road, 18-32 Darlinghurst Rd and 2 Roslyn St, activities or events to better contextualise their role in the
target audience is assumed to comprise: Potts Point, August 2018, for City of Sydney. cultural development of Australia.
– Residents The Australian Heritage Commission published a national
Other Publications
– Local community framework of historic themes in 2001 and the NSW
Apperly, R., Irving, R., Reynolds, P., A Pictorial Guide Heritage Council developed a series of linked State-
– Hotel, cafe, restaurant and bar patrons and staff To Identifying Australian Architecture; Styles and specific themes. These, in turn, provide the over-arching
– Tourists Terms From 1788 to the Present, Angus & Robertson framework for a sub-set of local themes, which generally
Publishers, Australia, 1989. relate to Local Government Area boundaries, and site
It is important that the interpretation is well integrated
into the site, in order to attract and maintain audience Australian Heritage Commission, 2001, Australian specific local sub-themes.
interests. Historic Themes Framework.
Key Themes for the Site
Australia/ICOMOS & International Council on
Residents The heritage inventory listing for the Potts Point
Monuments and Sites 2000, The Burra charter:
Residents of the development form a significant core Heritage Conservation Area identifies three themes:
the Australia ICOMOS charter for places of cultural
target audience for the site. This audience provides an significance with associated guidelines and code – Commerce
opportunity for engagement with interpretive elements on the ethics of co-existence, Australia ICOMOS,
that reveal the history and significance of the place in – Accommodation and
Burwood, Vic.
which they live. – Land Tenure.
Heritage Council of NSW, 2006, New South Wales
The PTW Heritage Assessment for the site identifies a
Local Community Historical Themes.
further nine themes:
The local community may access the cafes,
Heritage Listings – Philanthropy
restaurants and bars that the site will continue to
provide. It is possible that this user group will have a – Property investment
Heritage NSW
keen interest in the history of the area in which they – High density living and domestic life
live. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/
– Significant persons
heritagesearch.aspx
– Established migration
Hotel, cafe, restaurant and bar patrons and staff A full list of references is included at the rear of this
– Private hospitals and nurses training
The development includes a hotel, cafes, restaurants document.
and bars. Fronting Darlinghurst Road , these venues – Welfare
provide an opportunity to reveal the colourful history – Entertainment and
of the site. – Tolerance of the LGBTQI Community.
Tourists The following table connects the National, State and
Local Themes with the PTW identified Site Specific
Potts Point receives a large number of both national
Themes and identifies stories related to the individual
and international tourists. These people form part of
buildings on the site.
the target audience for interpretation at the site. w
Piccadilly Hotel Operations Trust Pty Ltd | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects | August 2020 | Heritage Interpretation Strategy | 18-32 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
23You can also read
